Tube bending machine and its right and/or left bending device

ABSTRACT

A tube-bending machine including a bending arm that is provided with a jaw support that moves horizontally in a direction of a bending head, whereby said jaw support is integral with a clamping jaw assembly that comprises at least one jaw for bending a tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending a tube counterclockwise, wherein the jaws are fixed to one another. A bending roller is fixed to the bending arm and comprises at least one jaw for bending the tube clockwise and at least one jaw for bending the tube counterclockwise, whereby said jaws of the bending roller are laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of a vertical axis XX′ of the bending head. A first strip support is also provided having at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent clockwise and a second strip support that includes at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent counterclockwise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tube-bending machine and more particularlyto a bending device that allows the bending of a tube either to the leftin a so-called clockwise direction or to the right in a counterclockwisedirection.

During bending in a clockwise direction, the bending arm moves from theright to the left around the bending head.

During bending in a counterclockwise direction, the bending arm movesfrom the left to the right around the bending head.

2. Description of the Related Art

According to European Patent EP 649 687, a tube-bending machine thatcomprises a hinged bending template, a bending arm that can pivot by180° degrees around the axis of the bending template and a clamping jawthat is supported by the bending arm is known.

The bending template has two template portions placed one above theother, whereby one is designed for bending the tube to the right and theother for bending the tube to the left.

The clamping jaw is designed both for bending to the right and forbending to the left. The clamping jaw respectively has a jaw element oneach side of a plane transversal to the clamping jaw and containing theaxis of the bending template.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The lower jaw element of the clamping jaw acts with the lower templateportion while the upper jaw element acts with the upper template portionfor clamping a tube portion.

The object of the tube-bending machine according to this invention is toallow either the bending to the left or the bending to the right of thesame tube by means of a bending roller that is attached to the bendingarm.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises:

-   -   a fixed frame that has, along its longitudinal axis, a guide        rail on which slides a movable carriage that is integral with a        rod, making it possible, by means of an internal clamping        mandrel, to guide a tube to be bent and to immobilize said tube        in rotation and translation,    -   at one of its ends a bending head, a bending roller and a        bending arm that pivots around vertical axis XX′ of the bending        head for the formation of the tube,    -   a bending arm that is provided with a jaw support that moves        horizontally in the direction of the bending head, whereby said        jaw support is integral with a clamping jaw that comprises at        least one jaw for the bending in a clockwise direction of the        tube and at least one jaw for bending in a counterclockwise        direction of the tube, whereby said jaws are fixed to one        another,    -   a bending roller that is fixed to the bending arm and that        comprises at least one jaw for the bending in a clockwise        direction of the tube and at least one jaw for the bending in a        counterclockwise direction of the tube, whereby said jaws are        laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of        vertical axis XX′ of the bending head,    -   a first strip support that comprises at least one jaw to clamp        the tube as it is being bent clockwise,    -   and a second strip support that comprises at least one jaw to        clamp the tube as it is being bent counterclockwise.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises aclamping jaw that comprises at least two jaws that are laterally offsetrelative to one another.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises aclamping jaw that comprises at least two jaws that are located one abovethe other and that are separated by a housing.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises in theclamping jaw a housing that has a height that is higher than thatprovided for a jaw.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises aclamping jaw that comprises three jaws that are laterally offsetrelative to one another to form, between the jaws that are located oneabove the other, a housing.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a bendingarm that comprises a bending roller that pivots at the same time as thelatter around vertical axis XX′ of the bending head as the tube is beingbent to the right or left.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a bendingroller that comprises at least two jaws that are laterally offset to oneanother and on both sides of vertical axis XX′ of the bending head.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a firststrip support that comprises at least one jaw and at least one housing.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a firststrip support whose number of jaws depends on the number of jaws thatare integral with the clamping jaws and the bending roller making itpossible to bend the tube to the left or clockwise.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a secondstrip support whose number of jaws depends on the number of jaws thatare integral with the clamping jaw and the bending roller making itpossible to bend the tube counterclockwise.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a secondstrip support of which each jaw is positioned on the same level as thatof the corresponding housing of the clamping jaw.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a secondstrip support that comprises at least one jaw and at least one housing.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a secondstrip support that comprises a housing above and below the jaw.

The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprisessimultaneous and inverted driving means of the first and second stripsupports in terms of a horizontal translatory motion in the direction ofthe tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description with regard to the accompanying drawings,given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it possible to betterunderstand the invention, the characteristics that it exhibits and theadvantages that it is likely to ensure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a tube-bending machineaccording to this invention.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 c are views that show in detail the clamping jaw and thebending roller of the bending machine according to this invention.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are perspective views that show the device for bending atube clockwise according to this invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views that show the device for bending atube counterclockwise according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a to 2 c is a bending machine 1 whose fixed frameat one of its ends carries a bending head 2 around which pivots abending arm 3 for the formation of a tube 4 either in a clockwisedirection or in a counterclockwise direction.

During bending in a clockwise direction, bending arm 3 moves from theright to the left around bending head 2.

During bending in a counterclockwise direction, bending arm 3 moves fromthe left to the right around bending head 2.

The fixed frame comprises, along its longitudinal axis, a guide rail,not shown, on which slides a movable carriage 5 that approaches andmoves away from bending head 2 by means of a geared motor.

Movable carriage 5 comprises a rod or a drum 6 that makes it possible,by means of an internal clamping mandrel, to guide tube 4 to be bent andto immobilize said tube in rotation and translation.

Bending arm 3 comprises a jaw support 7 that moves horizontally in thedirection of bending head 2.

Jaw support 7 is integral with a clamping jaw 8 that comprises variousjaw profiles 9, 10, and 11 whose number can vary based on the number ofbending motions to the right and/or left that it is necessary to carryout on tube 4.

Jaws 9, 10 and 11 are integral with clamping jaw 8 and fixed relative toone another.

Based on the number of jaws, the latter are placed on clamping jaw 8 sothat they are laterally offset relative to one another to constitute atleast one housing 22 between two jaws.

This housing 22 is of a slightly greater height than the one providedfor a bending jaw.

It is noted, in the sample embodiment according to this invention, thatclamping jaw 8 comprises three jaws 9, 10 and 11 that are laterallyoffset relative to one another to form a housing 22 between jaws 9 and11 that are located one above the other.

Bending arm 3 comprises a bending roller 12 that pivots at the same timeas the latter around vertical axis XX′ of bending head 2 as tube 4 isbeing bent to the right or left. Thus, bending roller 12 is fixed inrotation relative to bending arm 3.

Bending roller 12 consists of various jaw profiles 13, 14 and 15 whosenumber may vary based on the number of bending motions to the rightand/or left that it is necessary to carry out on tube 4. It is notedthat the number of jaws on bending roller 12 is equivalent to the oneprovided on clamping jaw 8.

Jaws 13, 14 and 15 are integral with bending roller 12 and fixedrelative to one another.

It is noted that jaws 13, 14 and 15 of bending roller 12 are laterallyoffset relative to one another and on both sides of vertical axis XX′ ofbending head 2.

The various profiles of jaws 13, 14 and 15 of bending roller 12 arerespectively placed opposite jaws 9, 10 and 11 of clamping jaws 8 tocarry out the bending of tube 4.

It is noted that the profile of jaws 9, 11 of clamping jaw 8 and theprofile of jaws 13, 15 of bending roller 12 make it possible to carryout the bending of tube 4 in a clockwise direction.

In contrast, the profile of jaw 10 of clamping jaw 8 and that of jaw 14of bending roller 12 make it possible to carry out the bending of tube 4in a counterclockwise direction.

Bending machine 1 comprises, at bending head 2 and on both sides of tube4 that is to be bent, a first strip support 16 and a second stripsupport 17 that are placed opposite one another and that moverespectively in terms of a horizontal translatory motion in thedirection of tube 4 and in terms of a horizontal translatory motion inthe direction of bending roller 12.

First strip support 16 moves in a horizontal translatory motion in thedirection of bending head 2, whereby bending arm 3 carries bendingroller 12 via a drive device 23, which can be a hydraulic or electricjack or any other motion transmission system.

Second strip support 17 moves in a horizontal translatory motion in thedirection of bending head 2, whereby bending arm 3 carries bendingroller 12 via a drive device 24, which can be a hydraulic or electricjack or any other motion transmission system.

First and second strip supports 16 and 17 are moved in a horizontaltranslatory motion in the direction of tube 4 for the purpose of itsclamping and its immobilization via a drive means that is unique for thetwo strip supports 16, 17.

Thus, when first strip support 16 is moved in the direction of tube 4for its immobilization, second strip support 17 automatically moves awayfrom said tube. Conversely, when second strip support 17 approaches tube4, first strip support 16 moves away from the latter.

First strip support 16 comprises two jaws 18, 19 that come to restagainst tube 4 to be able to accompany and maintain said tube 4 duringbending in a clockwise direction.

The number of jaws provided on first strip support 16 depends on thenumber of jaws that are integral with clamping jaw 8 and bending roller12 making it possible to bend tube 4 clockwise.

It is noted that jaws 18 and 19 of first strip support 16 are separatedfrom one another by a housing 20 whose height d corresponds to a heightthat is slightly greater than that of jaws 10, 14 of clamping jaw 8 andbending roller 12.

Housing 20 of first strip support 16 is suitable for receiving jaws 10and 14 of clamping jaw 8 and bending roller 12 to be able to carry outbending of tube 4 clockwise.

Actually, during the bending of tube 4 clockwise, first strip support 16moves in the direction of bending roller 12 that is integral with jaw 14at this level.

Thus, strip support 16 comprises at least one jaw 18, 19 and at leastone housing 20 whose number depends on the number of jaws that make itpossible to bend tube 4 counterclockwise.

Second strip support 17 comprises a jaw 21 that comes to rest againsttube 4 to be able to accompany and maintain said tube 4 as it is beingbent to the right.

When second strip support 17 comprises a jaw 21, a housing 25 that issuitable for receiving jaws 9, 11 and 13, 15 of clamping jaw 8 andbending roller 12 to be able to carry out the bending of tube 4counterclockwise is provided above and below said jaw.

Thus, strip support 17 comprises at least one jaw 21 and at least onehousing 25 whose number depends on the number of jaws that make itpossible to bend tube 4 clockwise.

Also, the number of jaws provided on second strip support 17 depends onthe number of jaws that are integral with clamping jaw 8 and bendingroller 12 making it possible to bend tube 4 counterclockwise.

Bending head 2 comprises translation means to be able to movehorizontally and vertically relative to the fixed frame, i.e., in thedirections that are in planes perpendicular to the one containing thelongitudinal axis of machine 1 or of the fixed frame, which is generallyembodied by tube 4.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, is the first bending of tube 4clockwise that is obtained by means of jaw 11 of clamping jaw 8, jaw 15of bending roller 12, and jaw 19 of first strip support 16.

It is noted that to carry out a bending of tube 4 clockwise, the lattershould be to the right of vertical axis XX′ of bending head 2 accordingto the representation of FIG. 1.

The bending of tube 4 clockwise is carried out when bending arm 3 andbending roller 12 pivot around bending head 2 according to a clockwiserotation relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head.

During the rotation of bending arm 3 and bending roller 12 aroundbending head 2, jaw 19 of strip support 16 is moved in a horizontaltranslatory motion in the direction of bending roller 12 to make itpossible to clamp tube 4.

This accompaniment of tube 4 by strip support 16 is obtained by means ofhousing 20 that is provided between jaws 18 and 19 that makes itpossible to receive jaw 10 of bending arm 3 and jaw 14 of bending roller12.

Actually, housing 20 of first strip support 16 makes possible therelease of jaws 10, 14, making possible the bending in acounterclockwise direction during the rotation in clockwise direction ofbending arm 3 and bending roller 12 around axis XX′ of bending head 2.

Shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the second bending of tube 4clockwise direction that is obtained by means of jaw 9 of clamping jaw8, jaw 13 of bending roller 12, and jaw 18 of first strip support 16.

The second bending in a clockwise direction is carried out after atranslation and a rotation of tube 4 around its longitudinal axis so asto initiate the first bending of the bending jaws.

The second bending of tube 4 clockwise is carried out when bending arm 3and bending roller 12 pivot around bending head 2 according to aclockwise rotation relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head.

During the rotation of bending arm 3 and bending roller 12 aroundbending head 2, jaw 18 of strip support 16 is moved in a horizontaltranslatory motion in the direction of bending roller 12 to make itpossible to clamp tube 4.

This accompaniment of tube 4 by strip support 16 is obtained by means ofhousing 20 that is provided between jaws 18 and 19 that receives jaw 10of bending arm 3 and jaw 14 of bending roller 12.

Actually, housing 20 of first strip support 16 makes possible therelease of jaws 10, 14 making possible the bending in a counterclockwisedirection during rotation in counterclockwise direction of bending arm 3around axis XX′ of bending head 2.

Illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a bending of tube 4 counterclockwisethat is obtained by means of jaw 10 of clamping jaw 8, jaw 14 of bendingroller 12, and jaw 21 of second strip support 17.

The bending in a counterclockwise direction is carried out after atranslation and a rotation of tube 4 around its longitudinal axis so asto initiate the first two bending motions in a clockwise direction ofthe bending jaws.

It is noted that to carry out a bending of tube 4 counterclockwise, thelatter should be to the left of vertical axis XX′ of bending head 2.

To do this, bending head 2 and bending arm 3 that carry bending roller12 are moved in a vertical direction downward relative to the frame ofbending machine 1. This vertical translation makes it possible torelease tube 4 from jaw support 8 and bending roller 12.

Bending arm 3 and bending roller 12 are driven in rotation aroundbending head 2 so as to be positioned to the left of vertical axis XX′.

Bending head 2 and bending arm 3 are then moved vertically upward toreturn to the level of tube 4 so that the latter is positioned to theleft of axis XX′ of bending head 2 and between jaws 10 and 14 ofclamping jaw 8 and bending roller 12.

The bending of tube 4 counterclockwise is carried out when bending arm 3and bending roller 12 pivot around bending head 2 according to arotation from left to right relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head.

During the rotation of bending arm 3 and bending roller 12 aroundbending head 2, jaw 21 of strip support 17 is moved in a horizontaltranslatory motion in the direction of bending roller 12 to make itpossible to clamp tube 4.

This accompaniment of tube 4 by strip support 17 is obtained by means ofhousing 22 that is provided between jaws 9 and 11 of clamping jaw 8 thatreceives jaw 21 of strip support 17.

This accompaniment of tube 4 by strip support 17 is also obtained bymeans of housings 25 provided above and below jaw 21 so as to receiverespectively jaws 9, 13 and 11, 15 of clamping jaw 8 and bending roller12.

Thus, housing 22 of clamping jaw 8 and housings 25 of strip support 17make possible the release of jaws 9, 13; 11, 15 and 21 that thus makepossible the bending in a counterclockwise direction of tube 4 by meansof jaws 10 and 14 of clamping jaw 8 and bending roller 12 that aredriven in a rotation in counterclockwise direction around axis XX′ ofbending head 2.

Bending machine 1 can carry out other bending motions of tube 4counterclockwise if clamping jaw 8 and bending roller 12 comprised otherjaws that make this type of bending possible.

Further, it should be understood that the preceding description wasgiven only by way of example and that it in no way limits the scope ofthe invention if the same goal could be achieved by replacing theabove-described embodiment details with any other equivalent items.

1. Tube-bending machine that comprises a fixed frame that has a carriagemovable relative to said frame, means carried by said carriage to guidea tube to be bent and to immobilize the tube in rotation andtranslation, a bending head, a bending roller and a bending arm thatboth pivot about an axis (XX′) of said bending head in order to bend thetube clockwise and counterclockwise, said bending arm including a jawsupport that moves horizontally in a direction of said bending head,said jaw support having a clamping jaw including at least one first jawfor engaging and bending the tube (4) clockwise and at least one secondjaw for engaging and bending the tube counterclockwise, said first andsecond jaws being fixed to one another, said bending roller being fixedto said bending arm and including at least one third jaw for engagingand bending the tube clockwise and at least one fourth jaw for engagingand bending the tube counterclockwise, said third and fourth jaws beinglaterally offset relative to one another on opposite sides of said axis(XX′) of said bending head, said bending arm and said bending rollerbeing pivoted at the same time about the axis (XX′) of said bending headas the tube is being bent clockwise or counterclockwise, a first stripsupport that includes at least one jaw that engages the tube as it isbeing bent clockwise, and a second strip support that includes at leastone jaw that is oriented in opposing relationship with said at least onejaw of said first strip support that engages the tube as it is beingbent counterclockwise.
 2. Tube-bending machine according to claim 1,wherein said first and second jaws of said clamping jaw are laterallyoffset relative to one another.
 3. Tube-bending machine according toclaim 1, wherein said first and second jaws of said clamping jaw arelocated one above the other and are separated by a housing. 4.Tube-bending machine according to claim 3, wherein said housing has aheight that is greater than a height of one of said first and secondlaws.
 5. Tube-bending machine according to claim 1, wherein clamping jawincludes two first jaws that are laterally offset relative to said atleast one second jaw and that are located one above the other, and ahousing formed between said two first jaws.
 6. Tube-bending machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said third and fourth jaws of said bendingroller that are laterally offset relative to one another and on bothsides of said axis XX′of said bending head.
 7. Tube-bending machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said first strip support includes at leasttwo jaws having at least one housing there between.
 8. Tube-bendingmachine according to claim 7, wherein a number of said at least two jawsof said first strip support depends on a number of first jaws that areintegral with said clamping jaw and said third jaws of said bendingroller that are used to bend the tube clockwise.
 9. Tube-bending machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the number of jaws provided on said secondstrip support depends on a number of second jaws that are integral withsaid clamping jaw and a number of fourth jaws of said bending rollerthat are used to bend the tube counterclockwise.
 10. Tube-bendingmachine according to claim 1, wherein each jaw of said second stripsupport is positioned so as to be receivable within a housing of anadjacent clamping jaw.
 11. Tube-bending machine according to claim 1,wherein said second strip support includes at least one housing forreceiving one of said first and second jaws of said clamping jaw. 12.Tube-bending machine according to claim 11, wherein said second stripsupport includes a housing above and below said at least one jawthereof.
 13. Tube-bending machine according to claim 1, includingdriving means for simultaneously moving said first and second stripsupports in opposite directions relative to the tube such that as one ofsaid first and second strip supports is moved toward the tube, the otheris moved away from the tube.